The next few days were interesting to say the least. We were gradually getting used to being in such close proximity to the rest of the school while attending our own classes. As for me, nothing has really changed in how I attend the academy. The subjects were still too elementary for me to put in any serious effort and anything I didn’t know or that was new to me was quickly researched to the extent of what the library would allow. So instead of wasting my time, I began a more intensive research into the great waste.

‘Let’s begin.’

I already knew how to create an artificial world tree, though nothing would ever stand up to the majesty and power of a real one. I needed a base tree seed, some alchemy and runes and I’m done. That is what I worked on for the next few weeks, it’s what took up the most of my time to be honest. I already did most of the leg work at home so all I had to do was just tackle the purification. I knew I wanted the tree to do the job of providing pure abundant mana for my territory, but how would I get it to suck up the curse in the ground.

‘And it was a really nasty curse.’

Somebody pissed off a powerful druid who had the time and power to decimate a land. What’s worse is that the curse has gotten stronger over time and has spread.

‘Well, it could have spread far wider if it wasn’t for that asshole holding it at bay by maintaining a border around the curse.’

On the bright side, thanks to him I was able to get an accurate size and shape of my territory and can make precise calculations for whatever I would like to do.

‘Thought for another day I guess.’

After a few monotonous months, it was once again time for the midterms. I knew immediately that I would have some people gunning for me, including the princess. What they fail to understand, really is that the gap is only going to widen from here on out.

‘I sound like a bloody peacock.’ But I couldn’t help it, they were literally children that I was competing against.

‘I guess my presence will force them to be better.’

The exams passed in a flash with the last paper just being completed.

‘Good, now I can get back to what actually matters.’

I was in the library doing some work when-

“We need to talk.” Serena Campbell, as I live and breath. What exactly would she want with me? I raised my brows in askance.

“Please, can we go to a private place and talk?” Sounding a little more desperate. I looked around the library to find out exactly why-

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‘Ahhh, childish games.’ There, glaring at me like his life depended on it, was Draco Pendragon. Golden blonde hair, blue eyes, handsome appearance and seemingly kind. First place in the A class with a healthy amount of magical and martial prowess. He is chief among the suitors of this miss Campbell and is right here, annoyingly staring me down. He had driven off everyone else she had on a string which left only him in the running for her affection.

‘Is she using me to resolve some issue she has with him?’

It was best for a Whitefyre to not get into conflict with a Pendragon. Like the Whitefyre, the Pendragon was one of the people that followed the emperor on his conquest to build an empire. He was the son of an unnamed dragon and a noblewoman of the time before he became friends and joined up with the emperor. After the war was done, like we were granted a grand duchy and vast lands to the west of the continent, the Pendragon was granted a vast territory to the east and bordering the ocean. Though he was named archduke because he married the sister of the emperor and spawned the Pendragon line.

We were the only family in this continent that, politically, had the clout to challenge them. Hence, I was the only one who could challenge Draco without fear of repercussions. I looked at miss Campbell

‘She keenly knows her position, the position of those who surround her and likes to take advantage of that for her success. There is a reason she, a commoner, secured forth position being only below me, the princess and what is practically a seer in Brandon. Well, more power to you. Unfortunately….’

“I’m a little bit busy right now, sorry.” I went back to my work.

“Umm, I-I’m sorry. I know I might take up some of your time but it is really urgent.” Really. I looked over to see the Pendragon coming and-

‘Fuck my life, this is why I don’t associate with children.’

We were starting to gather commotion as she started silently, but not silently, crying. Pendragon seemed to take that as his cue as he made his way over here. As he arrived, he put his hand on elbow and asked.

“What happened, is he bothering you? Why’re you crying.” I took a deep breath, dropped my pen and looked at them.

‘Okay, have it your way.’

“H-He didn’t hurt me. I-I jus-”

“She’s crying because she is trying to evoke a feeling of protection from you and the audience while also trying to see if she can ring me into her aura of influence.”

Pin drop silence. Miss Campbell’s eyes widened extremely while the Pendragon sputtered. I looked at her directly for this.

“I’ll have to give credit where credit is due, you had all of them willing to share your attention while getting nothing but platitudes in return. It must have been irritating to lose all of that when your biggest fish got a little bit greedy, so you’re trying to find another fish to counterbalance him so you can reel in more small fish. Unfortunately, that is not the job for me.”

Pendragon’s face just got redder and redder during my tirade until-

“Whitefyre, how dare you insult the miss Campbell and Pendragon name by insinuating w-”

“Draco, it’s okay. I-I’ll be okay. I’ll just not disturb him like he wants. Let’s go.” She grabbed his hand and hugged it against her chest as she started pulling him away. Before she left, she turned around one more time.

“Sorry I bothered you.”

‘Retreat to advance. Nothing would come of arguing with me here but the damage to the reputation, smart.’ I sighed and finally went back to work.

‘Truly, a terrifyingly smart girl.’